Europe

GENOA, Italy, Aug. 15 (Xinhua) -- As the toll in the deadly bridge collapse in Italy's northwestern city of Genoa reportedly reached 35 and rescue workers frantically searched in the debris for survivors, the chance of finding more people alive looked slim.

Bloomberg reported the toll had reached 35. It could rise further in the following days, police and Red Cross officials told Xinhua.

11 Aug 2018; DG: Only days after Left politician Sahra Wagenknecht announced her new movement, dubbed Aufstehen or Stand Up, tens of thousands have vowed support. The movement could present a leftist case for limiting migration.

12 Aug 2018; DG: Germany has seen a marked reduction in the number of attacks on refugees and migrant shelters in 2018. Lawmakers have welcomed the lower numbers, but warn of an ongoing "intolerable state of everyday racism."

Germany saw just over 700 anti-migrant attacks in the first half of 2018, according to the latest Interior Ministry figures.

MOSCOW, August 13. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Iranian counterpart Hassan Rouhani have discussed Washington’s actions on the global scene, the situation in Syria and bilateral agreements on the sidelines of the Caspian Summit on August 12, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.

"The situation linked to Washington’s actions was discussed, as well as bilateral Russian-Iranian relations and the situation in Syria - there was a wide variety of issues on the agenda," Peskov said.

MOSCOW, August 13. /TASS/. Russian oil producers will boost crude production next year largely owing to the start of several greenfield projects, the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) said in its report on Monday.

"In 2019, Russian oil companies have the potential to increase production through green field development. Incremental production of oil, NGLs and condensate could come from several projects, such as Uvat, East-Siberian, Vankorneft, Messoyakha and Yamal LNG," OPEC said.

LONDON, August 14. /TASS/. The British government is not ready to join the international community’s efforts to provide humanitarian assistance to Syria, the Russian embassy in London said in a statement.

MINSK, August 14. /TASS/. A meeting of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) Defense Ministers’ Council Coordination Committee will discuss the development of the joint air defense system, the Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement.

"The 49th meeting of the CIS Defense Ministers’ Council Air Defense Coordination Committee, scheduled to be held in Minsk on August 14, will particularly discuss ways for the development and improvement of the CIS joint air defense system," the statement reads.

13 Aug 2018; AFP: Germany's economy minister on Sunday lashed out at US President Donald Trump, slamming his global trade rows and efforts to "dictate" Europe's dealings with Iran through renewed US sanctions.

In an interview with German weekly Bild am Sonntag, Peter Altmaier warned of the damaging consequences of a full-blown US-China trade war, and expressed concern about Trump's decision to slap hefty metals tariffs on Turkey in an escalating diplomatic row.

MAGADAN, August 12. /TASS/. The US dollar is becoming a precarious settlement instrument in international trade, Russian First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Anton Siluanov said on Sunday.

MOSCOW, August 12. /TASS/. Russia is ready to ease visa requirements for some categories of Turkish citizens, the Russian foreign ministry said on Sunday ahead of Minister Sergey Lavrov’s visit to Ankara on August 13-14.

"It is planned to discuss aspects of easing visa requirements for the two countries’ nationals. We confirm our readiness for visa liberalization for certain categories of Turkish citizens," the ministry said.